The city:
Kinshasa is the capital and largest city of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Located on the southern bank of the Congo River, in the Malebo basin, it faces the capital of the Republic of Congo, Brazzaville. Once a site with a network of fishing and trading villages, Kinshasa is today a megalopolis known for its hospitality and atmosphere where human warmth is permanent.To take into account its artistic and cultural richness by referring of course to the past. With an estimated population of more than fifteen million, Kinshasa is the third most populated city in Africa after Cairo and Lagos, and is considered to be the largest French-speaking city in the world, surpassing Paris, the capital of France. It is important to remember that the Democratic Republic of Congo is slowly recovering from the damage caused by recent civil wars, rebellions, political and socio-economic imbalances.

Special features/requirements:
(KAS) is an independent art organization and not-for-profit based in Kinshasa that encourages creation in the field of visual arts and other forms of contemporary expression. This by promoting exchanges with other artists and artistic initiatives around the world, by strengthening the capacities of young Congolese artists and by professionalizing artistic practice. Kin ArtStudio was established in 2011 by visual artist Vitshois Mwilambwe Bondo. Enriched by its many achievements, KAS pursues its mission to offer a creative, international multidisciplinary residency program for artists and curators for the practice of contemporary visual arts in Kinshasa. We are located in the city of Kinshasa, or 2 500 m2 space is at the industrial space on the former Utex-Africa textile factory site in the heart of downtown Kinshasa, an emblematic place of the industrial history of the textile industry in DR Congo. In any case, a certain degree of independence and psychological strength as well as cultural sensitivity are required for the stay in Africa.

Studio / Apartment:
The studio space includes 15 artist studios, each artist has a private studio of 56m2 with 24-hour internet access, office space with a library, a space of 500m2 for projects, a wood, paint, digital and photo studio. Our project space is a multifunctional exhibition space that can accommodate
workshops, conferences and exhibitions or experimentation projects. KAS arranges for his guests a flat or shared flat close to the studios.

Partner Organisations:
Kin-Art-Studio (KAS), Kin ArtStudio, KAS - Kinshasa / RDC; Tel. +31 (0) 20 5270418; Mobile / Kinshasa +243 (0) 998 741 952 // Vitshois Mwilambwe Bondo: email: vitshois@yahoo.fr / Assistante: Bellinda Ngenga: email: ngengallinda@yahoo.fr
Pro Helvetia Johannesburg, Swiss Arts Council, 87 De Korte Street
Braamfontein, South Africa Tel. +27 11 403 1880, www.prohelvetia.org.za